Franklin County Tourism Development Authority Launches Marketing & Branding Initiative
The Franklin County Tourism Development Authority is starting a new effort to shape how Franklin County is seen by visitors, and they say the first step is hearing directly from the people who live here.
In a press release issued Tuesday, the Tourism Development Authority announced it is launching a countywide tourism branding, marketing, and website project designed to highlight what makes Franklin County unique while bringing more visitors into the community.
The work will be led by Destination by Design, a professional branding agency, and is expected to take about eight to ten months. The project includes creating a new tourism brand, visual identity, destination website, and marketing strategy.
But before any of that is created, the focus will be on listening.
“Creating the Franklin County brand comes from understanding the people, places, and experiences that already make Franklin County unique,” said Ginger Pugh, Chairperson of the Franklin County Tourism Development Authority. “This process gives us an opportunity to develop Franklin County’s story in a way that attracts visitors and remains authentic to who we are.”
As part of that process, Destination by Design will be in Franklin County on August 11 and 12 to meet with community leaders, tourism partners, business owners, elected officials, and residents. The goal, according to the release, is to gather input before any creative decisions are made.
According to Ryan Preble, Franklin County Manager, tourism is already a major part of the local economy. In 2024, tourism brought in $42 million and supported small businesses across the county, including restaurants, retail shops, farmers markets, and agricultural tourism.
“Franklin County’s tourism is an important sector of our economy,” said Preble. “This initiative will promote Franklin County as a tourism destination and continue to help Franklin County businesses grow.”
The agency leading the project says the community’s voice will shape the outcome.
“Every community has a story to tell,” said Erin Welsh, Senior Brand Strategist at Destination by Design. “Our job is to uncover what is authentic, distinctive, and meaningful about Franklin County, then create a brand that reflects those qualities while helping attract the right visitors. The people best positioned to tell that story are the people that live and work in Franklin County.”
The Franklin County Tourism Development Authority says this project is meant to support local businesses, increase overnight visits, and make it easier for people to explore what Franklin County has to offer.
With meetings scheduled in August, residents will have an opportunity to speak directly into how their community is represented.
To Read the Press Release: https://www.franklincountync.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/161
To Learn More about the Franklin County Tourism Development Authority: https://www.franklincountync.gov/352/Tourism-Development-Authority